Our School

We would like to acknowledge that our schools are on unceded Algonquin Territory, and thank the Algonquin Nation for hosting us on their land.

Our School

At Robert E. Wilson School students come first! Our school motto “Respect and Learning Shines Through” embodies our focus on fostering student success, building healthy relationships and inspiring positive citizenship. Our staff, students and parents work together to build a caring, inclusive and productive learning community.

Robert E. Wilson opened its doors in 1955 and currently provides a regular English program to a perse population of students from kindergarten to grade six. Our building is modern, with colourful and inviting classrooms, a fully equipped gym and computer lab and beautiful backyard with two large playing fields.

Over the past four years R.E. Wilson and the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre have been involved in several joint initiatives to support our school community. We have embarked on another venture and in the fall of 2010 opened a third kindergarten class for children aged four and five, which is located at the Inuit Centre. Children who are currently enrolled at the Centre will be following the full day kindergarten curriculum, while still enjoying the cultural and family support that the Centre offers.

Our Students

There are about 180 students enrolled at the school, reflecting the many different cultures,countries and languages of the wider community. They are friendly and appreciative children, who welcome newcomers and are supportive of their school. We are proud to have a significant number of First Nations, Metis, Inuit children in our school bringing their uniquebackground and culture to our community. After grade six, our graduates proceed to York Street School or Queen Elizabeth School for grades 7 and 8.

Our Staff

Robert E. Wilson School is fortunate to have dedicated and compassionate staff members who work hard to provide each student with inpidual care and support, both inside and outside the classroom. Our teaching staff is highly qualified, many of them holding certificates in Special Education and English as a Second Language. Teachers, Early Childhood Educators, Educational Assistants, Administration and Support staff work together to provide a supportive framework which encourages positive social, academic and intellectual growth.

Our Community

Our parents represent a wide persity of people, including many Aboriginal and new immigrant families and are active partners in enhancing our school. Two examples of initiatives undertaken by School Council to support our school are: the creation of our Parent Resource Room, where parents can access educational and community resources and connect with each other; and our Schoolyard Greening project, with seating areas for children, planters boxes and large trees. The school is fortunate to have many loyal and dedicated volunteers,and community partners such as: Community Foundation of Ottawa, Vorlage Ski Resort,Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre, the Optimist Club and Start to Finish Running and ReadingClub.

Mission Statement

As a strong, supportive team, the Robert E. Wilson community works together to meet the intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs of each child. We ensure a welcoming, inclusive and engaging learning environment where our students develop positive self- esteem, healthy relationships and achieve academic success.

Facilities and Resources

Library

Computers in all rooms, chromebooks, smart boards and projectors

Gymnasium

Large yard with 2 play structures and pavement games area with basketball courts

Kindergarten area with play structure

2 Soccer Fields

Programs and Services

Academic Programs

Regular English/Core French , JK – Grade 6

Students in grades one to six receive 40 minutes of French instruction daily

Classroom Organization

3 JK/SK classes

1 Grade 1 class

1 Grade 1/ 2 class

1 Grade 2/3 class

1 Grade 3/4 class

1 Grade 4/5 class

1 Grade 5/6 class

Special Education and ESL Programs

Students requiring extra help are supported by our highly skilled resource teachers who work collaboratively with teaching staff, provide guided instruction to small groups and provide Literacy and Math enrichment to inpidual students. Our Learning Support Teacher (LST) performs diagnostic testing and helps prepare inpidual programs for children. Our English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher provides in class and inpidual support to students learning English.

Clubs and Activities

Start to Finish Running and Reading Club

Ski club, Skating, Chess club

City Club – daily after school program

Coro Piccolo Choir

Mentor Program

Student Support Groups

Noon hour sports for both primary and juniors

Breakfast Club

Monthly character based assemblies

Borrow a Book Reading Program

Boys and Girls Club

Music Concerts

Milk program

Heroes Hockey

Safe Schools Initiatives

Robert E. Wilson School believes strongly in fostering a Community of Character. Some of our ongoing initiatives to reinforce positive character attributes and a safe learning environment are:

Everyone is committed to recognizing each student’s inpidual and group efforts in reflecting positive character attributes. We actively promote respect, responsibility, safety and perseverance throughout the school.

PALS Program – Playground Activity Leaders in Schools. The goal of the project is to increase physical activity, build leadership skills and promote positive play on the yard.

Crossroads – we have a counsellor at our school two days a week to support our students, including presenting the Roots of Empathy program to our grade 2-3 class.

Racial and ethnocultural persity is supported and celebrated through announcements, learning activities, special events and performances.

WITS and WITS LEADS (junior) - we are part of the WITS program. WITS stands for Walk away, Ignore, Talk it out, and Seek help, and provides a common language that children and the adults in their environments can use to talk about and respond to peer victimization. LEADS stands for Look and listen, Explore Points of view, Act, Did it work? and Seek help. This program promotes leadership and social responsibility among children in grades 4 to 6 and encourages them to solve peer conflict situations using these five problem solving steps